A recent study published in the American College of Sports Medicine  shows how “citizen science” can be used to track access to healthy, affordable food for older adults in San Mateo County, while improving physical activity. Using cell phones, older adults tracked barriers and opportunities in their neighborhoods with photos, GPS tracked walking routes, and audio narratives. 

Using the Food Environment Assessment Study funded by Get Healthy SMC’s Community Implementation Funding, the study tracked food access and availability among low-income, ethnically diverse older adult San Mateo County residents — half of whom reported experiencing food insecurity in the last month.